Light emitting panel assemblies for use in automotive applications and the like

ABSTRACT

Light emitting panel assemblies include in one form of the invention a light emitting panel member made of a transparent resiliently deformable elastomeric material that absorbs impact without breakage for use in automotive lighting applications of various types. In another form of the invention, a rigid light emitting panel member may be used with dome switches for switch area lighting or to backlight control buttons/key pads by providing holes or openings in the panel member for the control buttons/key pads. Also, a rigid light emitting panel member may be used as a structural member, and two or more such light emitting panel members may be stacked together and used to light an instrument panel or the like. One or more light sources may be mounted within one or more light transition areas adjacent one or more light input surfaces of the light emitting panel members. Also one or more light sources may be positioned adjacent one side of the light emitting panel members for causing light to shine through the panel members or through holes in the panel members for performing specified lighting functions.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally as indicated to light emitting panelassemblies especially for automotive applications.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Light emitting panel assemblies are generally known. The presentinvention relates to certain improvements in light emitting panelassemblies especially for automotive applications. Also, this inventionis concerned with passing/shining light directly through a lightemitting panel member or through holes in the panel member forperforming specified lighting functions, for example, providing brake orturn signal lights and/or turning or backup illumination for a vehicle.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with one aspect of the invention, the light emitting panelassemblies of the present invention may include a light emitting panelmember made out of a suitable transparent resiliently deformableelastomeric material that absorbs impact without breakage. Such panelmembers are especially suitable for use both in interior automotivelighting applications to reduce the possibility of serious injury to adriver or passenger of a vehicle when thrown into contact with the panelmember during a traffic accident, and in exterior automotive lightingapplications to help eliminate damage to the panel member if impactedduring a traffic accident.

Examples where such a resiliently deformable light emitting panel membermay be effectively used in interior automotive lighting applications toreduce injury during accidents are steering wheel and dash lightingapplications for lighting controls, switches, instrument panels,headliner lighting, logos and/or accent lighting.

In steering wheel applications, a resiliently deformable light emittingpanel member may be mounted in the hub portion of the steering wheeloutwardly of an air bag for lighting controls and/or switches or logoson the steering wheel hub and for accent lighting.

When used on a dash or other flush mount applications such as instrumentpanels and headliner lighting, a resiliently deformable panel memberwill absorb impact/shock, and may be contoured to match the shape of thedash or other surface.

Examples where such a resiliently deformable panel member may beeffectively used in exterior automotive lighting applications to reduceor eliminate damage to the panel member during accidents are running oraccent lights in the bumper or other exterior body portions of avehicle. The light emitting panel member may also be incorporated into atrunk lid of a vehicle to provide running lights and/or license plate orlogo illumination in the trunk lid. In applications where the trunk lidis recessed, the panel member may be rigid. However, if the trunk lid issubstantially flush with the body exterior, the panel member isdesirably resiliently deformable to withstand impacts during accidentswithout breakage of the panel member.

In accordance with another aspect of the invention, one or more lightsources may be mounted within one or more light transition areas orregions adjacent one or more light input surfaces of a light emittingpanel member.

In accordance with another aspect of the invention, one or more lightsources may be positioned adjacent one side of the panel member forcausing light to shine through the panel member or through holes in thepanel member for performing specified lighting functions, for example,providing brake or turn signal lights and/or turning or backupillumination for a vehicle.

In accordance with another aspect of the invention, one or more lightsources may be selectively positioned along an edge or side of the panelmember for increasing the light output from selected light outputareas/regions on one or both sides of the panel member.

In accordance with another aspect of the invention, a resilientlydeformable light emitting panel member may be used to backlight a liquidcrystal display (LCD) and/or multiple control switches or key pads of aradio or other electrical device. Such a panel member upon being engagedby a control button/key pad will be deformed into electrical contactwith a switch or other circuitry such as a printed circuit inwardly ofthe panel member for performing a selected switching function.

In accordance with another aspect of the invention, a rigid lightemitting panel member may be used to backlight an LCD and/or multiplecontrol buttons/key pads of a radio or other electrical device byproviding holes or openings through the panel member for movement of aportion of the control buttons/key pads into and out of electricalcontact with a printed circuit inwardly of the panel member. Surfaceirregularities such as print patterns or molded in shapes may beprovided on the panel surfaces around the holes/openings to flood theareas around the buttons/key pads with light.

In accordance with another aspect of the invention, a rigid lightemitting panel member may be used with dome and other such switches forswitch area lighting. One or more such rigid light emitting panelmembers each with its own separate light source and transition regionmay support a series of push buttons that float on the panel members topermit the push buttons to be moved into contact with the dome switches.

In accordance with another aspect of the invention, two or more stackedlight emitting panel members may be used to light an instrument panel orthe like. One of the panel members may be used to provide generalbacklighting for graphic displays on the instrument panel, whereas another panel member may be used to light dial pointers or other elementson the instrument panel. Common or separate light sources may be used tosupply light to input surfaces of two or more panel members. Also,separate indicator lights may be provided behind the panel members forproviding through illumination to indicators on the graphic displays ofthe instrument panel.

In accordance with another aspect of the invention, a rigid lightemitting panel member may be used as a structural member for graphicoverlays or decals, to provide for example lighting for designating thegear shift lever positions of a vehicle. One or more light sources maybe inserted/embedded within light transition regions at one or morelocations along the length of the panel member to direct light intoinput surfaces of the panel member. Indicator lights may be providedadjacent an edge or side of the panel member in line with each indicatorposition for providing increased light output at the selected position.Also, a movable color filter may be provided between the panel memberand label to provide a different colored light output at any selectedgear shift position. For example, a movable red filter may be used tochange the color of the light output at the selected gear shift leverposition from white to red.

In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the light emittingpanel member may have a secondary reflective/refractive surface forreflecting/refracting a portion of the light entering an input surfaceof the panel member around a corner of the panel member.

To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, the invention,then, comprises the features hereinafter fully described andparticularly pointed out in the claims, the following description andthe annexed drawings setting forth in detail certain illustrativeembodiments of the invention, these being indicative, however, of butseveral of the various ways in which the principles of the invention maybe employed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the annexed drawings:

FIG. 1 is a schematic top plan view of a steering wheel of a vehicleincorporating one form of light emitting panel assembly in accordancewith this invention in the hub portion of the steering wheel;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary transverse section through the panel assemblywithin the hub portion of FIG. 1 taken on the plane of the line 2--2thereof;

FIG. 2A is an enlarged plan view of a portion of a light output surfacearea of a panel assembly schematically showing a pattern of lightextracting deformities on the light output surface area;

FIG. 3 is a schematic end view of a rear portion of a vehicleincorporating other forms of light emitting panel assemblies inaccordance with this invention;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary transverse section through the vehicle endportion and panel assemblies of FIG. 3 taken on the plane of the line4--4 thereof;

FIG. 5 is a schematic plan view of a radio or other electronic deviceincorporating another form of light emitting panel assembly inaccordance with this invention;

FIG. 6 is a transverse section through the assembly of FIG. 5 taken onthe plane of the line 6-6 thereof;

FIG. 7 is a schematic fragmentary section through a portion of a controlpanel incorporating another form of light emitting panel assembly inaccordance with this invention;

FIG. 7A is a fragmentary top plan view of a portion of the lightemitting panel member of FIG. 7 showing light extracting deformities onlight emitting surfaces of the panel member around a hole or opening inthe panel member in alignment with a control button/key pad;

FIG. 8 is a schematic fragmentary section through a contoured surfacesuch as the dash of a vehicle showing other forms of light emittingpanel assemblies in accordance with this invention interposed between aprinted circuit and a series of key pads either molded into thecontoured surface or extending through openings therein;

FIG. 9 is a schematic side elevation view of another form of lightemitting panel assembly in accordance with this invention used forsupporting and illuminating a series of floating push buttons above aseries of dome switches;

FIG. 10 is a transverse section through the assembly of FIG. 9 taken onthe plane of the line 10--10 thereof;

FIG. 11 is a top plan view of another form of light emitting panelassembly in accordance with this invention which is also used to supportand illuminate a series of floating push buttons;

FIG. 12 is a schematic vertical section through an instrument panelincorporating other forms of light emitting panel assemblies inaccordance with this invention;

FIG. 13 is a top plan view of a graphic overlay for the instrument panelof FIG. 12 as seen from the plane of the line 13--13 thereof;

FIG. 14 is a top plan view of one light emitting panel assembly inaccordance with this invention incorporated in the instrument panel ofFIG. 12 as seen from the plane of the line 14--14 thereof;

FIG. 15 is a top plan view of another form of light emitting panelassembly in accordance with this invention incorporated in theinstrument panel of FIG. 12 as seen from the plane of the line 15--15thereof;

FIGS. 16 through 18 are schematic plan views showing other forms oflight emitting panel assemblies in accordance with this invention whichprovide a structural support for graphic overlays/decals used forexample to designate the various gear shift lever positions of anengine;

FIG. 19 is a fragmentary transverse section through one such lightemitting panel member used as a structural support; and

FIGS. 20 through 22 are schematic illustrations showing light emittingpanel assemblies in accordance with this invention used to providelighting for vanity mirrors and the like.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring now in detail to the drawings, and initially to FIGS. 1 and 2,there is schematically shown one form of light emitting panel assembly 1in accordance with this invention mounted in the hub portion 2 of asteering wheel 3 of a vehicle outwardly of an air bag 4 to providebacklighting for control switches/buttons 5, the horn, logos, or otheraccent lighting on the steering wheel.

The light emitting panel assembly 1 includes a transparent lightemitting panel member 8 having one or more light sources 9 mountedwithin one or more light transition areas or regions 10 at one or bothends of the panel member mounted within the air bag/steering wheelcovering 11 outwardly of the air bag 4. In FIGS. 1 and 2, two such lighttransition areas or regions 10 and light sources 9 are shown at one endof one or two panel members 8 for selectively lighting one or two rowsof control buttons 5. The light that enters the transparent lightemitting panel members 8 from the light transition region(s) 10 may beemitted along the entire length of the panel members or from one or morelight output surface areas along their length as desired to produce adesired light output distribution to fit a particular application.

The light sources 9 may be mechanically held in any suitable manner inslots, cavities or openings machined, molded or otherwise formed in thelight transition regions of the panel assemblies. However, the lightsources may be embedded, potted or bonded in the light transitionregions in order to eliminate any air gaps or air interface surfacesbetween the light sources and surrounding light transition regions,thereby reducing light loss and increasing the light output emitted bythe light emitting panels. Bonding may be accomplished using a suitableembedding, potting or bonding material or by a variety of methods thatdo not incorporate extra material, for example, thermal bonding, heatstaking, ultrasonic or plastic welding or the like. Other methods ofbonding include insert molding and casting around the light sources.

The light sources may be of any suitable type including, for example,any of the types disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,897,771 and 5,005,108,assigned to the same assignee as the present application, the entiredisclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference. Inparticular, the light sources may be non-linear such as an arc lamp, anincandescent bulb which also may be colored, filtered or painted, a lensend bulb, a halogen lamp, a light emitting diode (LED), a chip from anLED, a neon bulb, a fiber optic light pipe transmitting light from aremote light source, a laser or laser diode, or linear such as a linelight or fluorescent tube, or any other suitable light source. Also, thelight sources may be a multiple colored LED, or a combination ofmultiple colored radiation sources in order to provide a desired coloredor white light output distribution. For example, a plurality of coloredlights such as LEDs of different colors (red, blue, green) or a singleLED with multiple colored chips may be employed to create white outputin other color or shade light output distribution by varying theintensities of each individual colored light. A label/overlay withdifferent color light emitting regions can be used in conjunction with apanel assembly having a plurality of colored light sources for specificindication based on color or the frequency of light emitted by thedifferent light emitting regions.

A pattern of light extracting deformities or disruptions 12 (see FIG.2A) may be provided on one or both sides 13, 14 of the panel membersalong the entire length thereof or at one or more selected areas of thepanel members as desired. The terms deformities or disruptions are usedinterchangeably herein to mean any change in the shape or geometry ofthe panel surface and/or coating or surface treatment that causes aportion of the light to be emitted. A pattern of light extractingdeformities may include a variable pattern which breaks up the lightrays such that the internal angle of reflection of a portion of thelight rays will be great enough to cause the light rays either to beemitted out of the panel members through the side or sides on which thelight extraction deformities are provided or reflected back through thepanel members and emitted out the other side.

Such deformities or disruptions can be produced in a variety of manners,for example, by providing a painted pattern, an etched pattern, amachined pattern, a printed pattern, a painted pattern, a hot stampedpattern, or a molded pattern or the like at selected light output areason the surfaces of the panel members. An ink or adhesive pattern orprinted pattern may be applied for example by pad printing, silkscreening, ink jet, photolithography, heat transfer film process or thelike. The deformities may also be printed on a sheet or film which isused to apply the deformities to the sides of the panel members. Thissheet or film may become a permanent part of the light panel assembliesfor example by attaching or otherwise positioning the sheet or filmagainst one or both sides of the panel members in order to produce adesired effect.

By varying the density, opaqueness or translucence, shape, depth, color,area, index of refraction, or type of deformities on an area or areas ofthe panel members, the light output of the panel members can becontrolled. The deformities or disruptions may be used to control thepercent of light emitted from any surface area of the panel members. Forexample, less and/or smaller size deformities may be placed on panelsurface areas where less light output is wanted. Conversely, a greaterpercentage of and/or larger deformities may be placed on surface areasof the panels where greater light output is desired.

Varying the percentages and/or size of deformities in different surfaceareas of the panels is necessary in order to provide a uniform lightoutput distribution. For example, the amount of light traveling throughthe panels will ordinarily be greater in areas closer to the lightsource than in other areas further removed from the light source. Apattern of light extracting deformities may be used to adjust for thelight variances within the panel members, for example, by providing adenser concentration of light extracting deformities with increaseddistance from the light source thereby resulting in a more uniform lightoutput distribution from the light emitting panels.

The deformities may also be used to control the output ray angledistribution of the emitted light to suit a particular application. Forexample, if the panel assemblies are used to provide a liquid crystaldisplay backlight, the light output will be more efficient if thedeformities cause the light rays to be emitted from the panels atpredetermined ray angles such that they will pass through the liquidcrystal display with low loss.

Additionally, the pattern of light extracting deformities may be used toadjust for light output variances attributed to light extractions of thepanel members. The pattern of light extracting deformities may beprinted on the light output surface areas utilizing a wide spectrum ofpaints, inks, coatings, epoxies, adhesives, or the like, ranging fromglossy to opaque or both, and may employ half-tone separation techniquesto vary the deformity coverage. If an adhesive is used to provide apattern of light extracting deformities, the adhesive may also be usedto secure a back reflector to the panel member. Moreover, the pattern oflight extracting deformities may be multiple layers or vary in index ofrefraction.

Print patterns of light extracting deformities may vary in shapes suchas dots, squares, diamonds, ellipses, stars, random shapes, and thelike, and are desirably 0.006 square inch per deformity/element or less.Also, print patterns that are 60 lines per inch or finer are desirablyemployed, thus making the deformities or shapes in the print patternsnearly invisible to the human eye in a particular application therebyeliminating the detection of gradient or banding lines that are commonto light extracting patterns utilizing larger elements. Additionally,the deformities may vary in shape and/or size along the length and/orwidth of the panel members. Also, a random placement pattern of thedeformities may be utilized throughout the length and/or width of thepanel members. The deformities may have shapes or a pattern with nospecific angles to reduce moire or other interference effects. Examplesof methods to create these random patterns are printing a pattern ofshapes using stochastic print pattern techniques, frequency modulatedhalf tone patterns, or random dot half tones. Moreover, the deformitiesmay be colored in order to effect color correction in the panel members.The color of the deformities may also vary throughout the panel members,for example to provide different colors for the same or different lightoutput surface areas.

In addition to or in lieu of these light extracting deformities, otherlight extracting deformities including prismatic surfaces, depressionsor raised surfaces of various shapes using more complex shapes in a moldpattern may be molded, etched, stamped, thermoformed, hot stamped or thelike into or on one or more surface areas of the panel members. Theprismatic surfaces, depressions or raised surfaces will cause a portionof the light rays contacted thereby to be emitted from the panelmembers. Also, the angles of the prisms, depressions or other surfacesmay be varied to direct the light in different directions to produce adesired light output distribution or effect. Moreover, the reflective orrefractive surfaces may have shapes or a pattern with no specific anglesto reduce moire or other interference effects.

A back reflector or reflective coating (including trans reflectors) 15(see FIG. 2) may be applied to a bottom side of the panel members usinga suitable adhesive or other method in order to improve light outputefficiency of the panel assemblies by reflecting the light emitted fromthat side back through the panel members for emission through theopposite side. If adhesive is used to adhere the back reflector to thepanel members, the adhesive is desirably applied only along the sideedges of the panel members so that there is a slight air gap between theback reflector and panel members except where there is adhesive, sincethe adhesive changes the internal critical angle of the light in a lesscontrollable manner than the air gap between the panel surface and backreflector.

Additionally, a pattern of light extracting deformities may be providedon one or both sides of the panel members in order to change the path ofthe light so that the internal critical angle is exceeded and a portionof the light is emitted from one or both sides of the panel members.Where the deformities are created by a print pattern, the back reflectorcan be the same color as the print pattern so that print pattern is notvisible through the back reflector. Moreover, a transparent film, sheetor plate may be attached or positioned against the side or sides of thepanel members from which light is emitted using a suitable adhesive orother method in order to produce a desired effect.

The transparent film may be used to further improve the uniformity ofthe light output distribution or change the output ray angledistribution. For example, the film may be a colored film, a diffuser,or a label or display, a portion of which may be a transparent overlaythat may be colored and/or have text or an image thereon. Also the filmmay be a prismatic or lenticular lens or other device that changes theoutput ray angle distribution.

In FIG. 1 the light transition regions or areas 10 are shown as anintegral extension of one end of the light emitting panel members 8 andas having curved edges 16 to more efficiently reflect and/or refract andfocus the light emitted from the light sources that impinges on thecurved edges 16 back through the light transition regions at anacceptable angle for entering the light input surface of the lightemitting panel members. Also, a suitable reflective material or coating17 may be provided on any portions of the edges of the light transitionregions of the panel members on which any portion of the light impingesfor maximizing the amount of light or otherwise changing the light thatis reflected back through the light transition regions and into thelight emitting panel members.

A suitable pattern of light extracting deformities or disruptions 12 maybe provided on selected areas on one or both sides of the panel members8 corresponding to the location of the control buttons 5 on the air bagcovering 11 above the panel members. In the example shown, the patternof light extracting deformities or depressions is provided on the bottomside 14 of the panel member 3 (i.e., the side facing away from thecontrol buttons), and a reflective film or coating 15 is provided onthat side to reflect the light emitted from that side back through thepanel members.

Preferably the light emitting panel members 8 are made of a transparentresiliently deformable material such as a thermoplastic elastomer orsilicone rubber which allows areas of the panel members in line with thecontrol buttons to be flexed into engagement with a printed circuit 19located beneath the panel members when the respective control buttonsare depressed to complete an associated control circuit. Also if the airbag 4 should ever be deployed or if the driver's head should be forcedinto engagement with the hub portion 2 of the steering wheel 3 during atraffic accident, the resiliently deformable panel members 8 will absorbshock, thus greatly reducing the possibility of serious injury to thedriver because of such contact.

The printed circuit 19 may be made of a suitable thermoplasticelastomer, silicone rubber or flexible film or laminated circuit ormembrane or dome switch to absorb shock, thus further reducing thepossibility of serious injury to the driver should the driver's headimpact against the hub portion of the steering wheel or should thesteering wheel air bag be deployed and force the panel members andcircuit outwardly into contact with the driver.

Light emitting panel assemblies similar to that shown in FIGS. 1 and 2may also be advantageously employed in other automotive applications aswell such as the dash, instrument panel, headliner, and exteriorlighting. FIGS. 3 and 4 show several automotive exterior lightingapplications including one in which a light emitting panel assembly 21is mounted in a back end or bumper 22 of a vehicle 23 to provide runninglights in the back end/bumper, another in which light emitting panelassemblies 24 are mounted in body panels 25 along the rear, front and/orsides of a vehicle to provide running lights or accent lights or tolight a logo, step, running board, or other surface area of a vehicle;and still another in which a light emitting panel assembly 26 is mountedin a vehicle trunk lid 27 for providing a running light or illuminationfor a logo, accent light or license plate mounted on the trunk lid. Ineach case the respective light emitting panel members 28, 29 and 30 areshaped to fit the particular application and may be made of atransparent resiliently deformable material such as a thermoplasticelastomer or silicone rubber that will flex upon impact during minortraffic accidents without breakage.

The number and location of light sources 9 and associated lighttransition regions 10 for a given light emitting panel member may varyfor a given application depending on the overall size and shape of eachpanel member and desired amount of light output therefrom. For example,the back end/bumper running light application shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 mayonly require one light source 9 and associated light transition region10 at each end of the panel member 28, whereas the body panel and trunklid running light applications shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 may require aplurality of closely spaced light sources 9 and associated lighttransition regions 10 along one or more light input surfaces of thepanel members. FIGS. 3 and 4 show several such light sources andassociated light transition regions along the back edges of the panelmembers 29 used to provide running taillights for a vehicle and along atop edge of the panel member 30 used to provide illumination on a trunklid. Mounting all of the light sources for the tail running lights alongthe back edges of the panel members 29 (i.e., the edges closest to thetrunk lid) minimizes the risk that the light sources themselves will bedamaged in the event the tail running lights are impacted during minortraffic accidents and the like. These panel members may have arelatively thin, low profile, for example, less than one quarter inchthick, so as not to take up much space. Also, these panel members 29 mayform the exterior surface of the body panel 25 as shown at the left handside of FIG. 4 or a lens or film 34 may cover the panel members as shownat the right hand side of FIG. 4.

In the usual case the light sources are embedded, potted or bonded inthe light transition regions of the panels as previously described.However, FIG. 3 shows the light source 9 at the left end of panel member28 mechanically held in place by a holder 63 received in a slot in anedge of the panel member. Also a fiber optic light pipe 64 is shown atthe right end of the panel member 28 of FIG. 3 for transmitting light tothe panel member from a remote light source 65 located for example inthe trunk or other remote location in the vehicle.

An additional array of light sources 31 such as LEDs or incandescent orhalogen lamps (with or without reflectors) may also be strategicallymounted inwardly (i.e., behind) the inner surface of the light emittingpanel members 29 and/or 30 to cause a more intense light to shinethrough the panel members and a trans reflector 32 if provided on thepanel members or through one or more clear areas or holes 33 through thepanel members where no print pattern, back reflector or trans reflectoris provided on the panel members as also schematically shown in FIGS. 3and 4 for specific applications, for example, to provide brake or turnsignal lights, turning or backup illumination, etc. By locating thelight sources 9 for illuminating the panel members 29 themselvesadjacent one or more ends of the panel members, they will not interferewith or obstruct the visibility of the array of light sources 31 shiningthrough the panel members.

In automotive applications such as a trunk lid 27 where the lightemitting panel assembly 26 may be sufficiently recessed such that thelight emitting panel member 30 will typically not be impacted duringminor traffic accidents, the panel member could be made of a rigidtransparent material such as polycarbonate or acrylic plastic instead ofa resiliently deformable material if desired.

FIGS. 5 and 6 schematically show another form of light emitting panelassembly 35 in accordance with this invention including a resilientlydeformable transparent light emitting panel member 36 mounted behind anLCD 37 and/or multiple control buttons 38 of a radio or other device forillumination of the LCD and control buttons either by causing light tobe uniformly emitted from the entire surface of the panel member or fromspecific surface areas of the panel member in the regions of the LCD andcontrol buttons as desired. Any number of light sources 9 and associatedlight transition regions 10 may be provided for the panel member 36 asdesired. Also, the panel member 36 is desirably made of a resilientlydeformable elastomeric material so that when the control buttons 38,which may either be membrane switches or elastomeric key pads that aremolded or embossed, are depressed into engagement with the panel member,the engaged areas of the panel member will flex into engagement withassociated dome switches 39' or other circuitry on a printed circuit 39beneath the panel member to effect the selected switching function.

Alternatively, a light emitting panel member 40 in accordance with thisinvention may be made of a relatively rigid transparent material such aspolycarbonate or acrylic plastic, with through holes 41 in the panelmember in alignment with membrane switches or elastomeric key pads 42 orother such control buttons (see FIG. 7) to permit contact portions 43 onthe control buttons to engage appropriate circuitry on a printed circuit44 inwardly of the panel member when the control buttons are depressed.Alternatively, the control buttons 42 may be used to activate domeswitches (one such dome switch 57 being shown toward the right end ofFIG. 7), in which event the contact portions 43 may be eliminated.

The holes 41 may be of various shapes or have angled or textured walls45 (the wall 45 of the right most hole 41 of FIG. 7 being shown angled)to cause a portion of the light to be emitted toward the controlbuttons.

In this particular embodiment, light entering the panel member from thelight source 9 and associated light transition region 10 will be emittedfrom the walls 45 of the holes 41 in the panel member to backlight theswitches/pads. Also, surface irregularities 46 such as print patternsmay be provided around the holes 41 in the panel member as schematicallyshown in FIG. 7A to cause light to be emitted around the control buttonsto flood the area around the control buttons with light. Surfaceirregularities 46 such as print patterns or molded in shapes may also beprovided on other surface areas of the panel member 36, for example,behind the LCD 37 and control buttons 38 for backlighting purposes, etc.

FIG. 8 schematically shows a flush mount application for a lightemitting panel assembly 47 in accordance with this invention in which aresiliently deformable elastomeric transparent light emitting panelmember 48 is mounted behind a contoured surface such as the dash 49 of avehicle on which control switches 50 or a logo or the like are mounted.The switches 50 include transparent or translucent key pads 51 or 51'that may be molded into the contoured surface as shown in the centerportion of FIG. 8 or molded onto the panel member 48 and extend throughopenings 49' in the contoured surface as shown to the left and right ofcenter in FIG. 8. Also, the key pads 51, 51' are desirably made of anelastomeric or other flexible material, which together with the panelmember 48, provide a soft assembly that absorbs impact to minimizeinjury to a person thrown against the dash during a traffic accident orthe like. Also making the panel member 48 out of a resilientlydeformable elastomeric material permits selected areas of the panelmember to be pressed into contact/engagement with a printed circuit 52therebeneath when the key pads are depressed. The printed circuit andpanel member may include appropriate circuitry 53, 54 such as conductingink printed on adjacent surfaces to complete an appropriate circuit whenbrought into contact with each other. Alternatively dome switches 57 maybe provided for engagement by the key pads (one such dome switch beingshown toward the right end of FIG. 8) thus eliminating the need for thecircuitry 53, 54. Also, the printed circuit 52 may be made of a suitableresiliently deformable elastomeric material or flexible film forcontouring and to help in providing a soft assembly to absorb impactduring a traffic accident or the like.

FIGS. 9 and 10 schematically illustrate another form of light emittingpanel assembly 56 in accordance with this invention for use with domeswitches 57 for switch array lighting, keyless entry, radio and/ortape/CD controls or other such applications. In this particularembodiment, a relatively rigid transparent light emitting panel member58 extends through transverse openings or slots 59 (see FIG. 10) in anarray of push buttons 60 in line with the dome switches 57. The ends orother sections of the panel member are supported by a rigid tray 61containing or in close proximity to a printed circuit 62 on which thedome switches may be mounted. The height of the slots 59 through thepush buttons 60 is greater than the thickness of the panel member 58whereby the push buttons will float on the panel member, thus allowingthe push buttons to be pressed into contact with the respective domeswitches on the printed circuit to activate appropriate circuitry.

FIGS. 9 and 10 show a single panel member 58 with associated lightsources 9 and light transition regions 10 at one or both ends thereoffor illuminating single indicator buttons 60, whereas FIG. 11 shows twolight emitting panel members 66, 67 with separate light sources 9 andassociated light transition regions 10 for illuminating dual indicatorbuttons 68 for illuminating radio controls and/or tape/CD controls orthe like. Surface irregularities such as print patterns or molded inshapes may be provided on selected surface areas of the panel memberswithin and/or around the push buttons to cause light to illuminate thebuttons.

FIGS. 12 through 15 schematically illustrate another form of lightemitting panel assembly 70 in accordance with this invention includingtwo or more stacked relatively rigid transparent light emitting panelmembers 71, 72 in a multi-layer instrument panel 73. The outer (i.e.upper) panel member 71, shown in plan view in FIG. 14, provides astructural support for a graphic overlay 74, shown in plan view in FIG.13. Pointers 75 are supported outwardly of the graphic overlay 74 byshafts 76 (see FIG. 12) which extend through the panel members and arerotatably driven by motor controllers 77 inwardly (i.e. below) of thepanel members. The pointers may be illuminated as by providing prismaticsurfaces 78 and/or surface irregularities around openings 79 in theouter panel member 71 through which the shafts 76 extend forreflecting/refracting light within the outer panel member into thepointers 75. The pointers 75 may also be made of a light transmittingmaterial, with prismatic surfaces 80 at one end of the pointers to causelight received from the outer panel member to be reflected/refractedback through the pointers and emitted through light emitting surfaceareas on the pointers.

The inner (i.e. lower) panel member 72, shown in plan view in FIG. 15,includes different shaped light emitting surface areas 83, 84 and 85 foremitting light entering the panel member from one or more light sourcesfor backlighting the graphic overlay 74 mounted on the outer surface ofthe outer panel member 71.

Separate or common light sources may be provided for each panel member71, 72 as desired. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 12 through 15,common light sources 86 for both panel members 71, 72 extend intoaligned openings 87, 88 in the panel members. Also, separate indicatorlights 89 may be mounted at selected positions on a printed circuit 90inwardly of both panel members 71, 72 for shining light through bothpanel members to different indicators 91 on the graphic overlay 74 asschematically shown in FIGS. 12 and 13. Suitable shields/reflectors 92may be provided around/between the indicator lights 89 (see FIG. 12) toshield the light and direct it to the appropriate indicators.

FIG. 16 shows another form of light emitting panel assembly 93 inaccordance with this invention including a rigid transparent lightemitting panel member 94 which may act as a structural support for agraphic overlay/decal 95 used, for example, to designate the variousgear shift lever positions for the engine of a vehicle. One or morelight sources 9 may be inserted/embedded within light transition regions10 on the panel member to provide backlighting at selected surface areas96 along the length of the panel member corresponding for example to thedifferent gear shift selector positions (viz. P R N D L) or to provideaccent lighting or backlighting for a logo. The panel member 94 shown inFIG. 16 is generally L shaped, with an angled reflective surface 97interconnecting the legs 98, 99 of the panel member for reflecting aportion of the light from the light source 9 on one of the legs 98 ofthe panel member around a corner 100 for providing backlighting at oneor more selected areas 101 on the other leg 99 of the panel member.

Instead of being generally L shaped, the panel member 102 can be curvedin one or more planes as schematically shown in FIG. 17. Also, two suchpanel members 102, 102' may be provided as shown in FIG. 17 fordesignating the different gear shift lever positions of a four wheeldrive vehicle. In this particular embodiment, the two panel members arejoined together and a common light source 9 is used to supply light toboth panel members, with reflective surfaces 103, 103' at the corners104, 104' for reflecting/refracting a portion of the light around thecorners.

Alternatively, the panel member 105 may be substantially straight asschematically shown in FIG. 18.

A plurality of indicator lights 106 may also be located along an edge ofthe panel members in line with the light emitting surface areas 96corresponding to the respective gear shift lever positions asschematically shown in FIG. 16 for providing increased light output atthese positions. Also, additional light sources 106' may be placedbehind the panel members for shining light through the light emittingsurface areas or other surface areas of the panel member as shown inphantom lines in FIG. 16.

A filter 107 may be interposed between the panel members and associatedgraphic overlay 95 for movement with a gear selector shift lever 108into overlying relation with any one of the light emitting surface areas96 on the panel members corresponding to the selected gear shiftposition as schematically shown in FIG. 18 to provide a different coloror shade of light output at the selected gear shift position. Forexample, the filter 107 may be a red filter that changes the color ofthe light output at the selected gear shift position from white to red.

Along both side edges of the panel member are tabs 109 which may be usedfor example to heat stake the panel member to a back reflector tray 110for the panel member as schematically shown in FIG. 19. Also, posts 111may be provided on the panel members for heat staking the overlay/label95 to the panel members and/or heat staking the panel members to aninterior body panel of the vehicle.

FIGS. 20 through 22 show other forms of light emitting panel assemblies115, 116 and 117 in accordance with this invention including respectivelight emitting panel members 118, 119 and 120 mounted on the flap 121 ofa vanity mirror 122 (see FIG. 20), extending around three sides of agenerally rectangular vanity mirror 123 (see FIG. 21), and extendingsubstantially completely around an elliptical vanity mirror 124 (seeFIG. 21). Such panel members 118, 119 and 120 have a relatively thin,low profile, for example less than one quarter inch thick, with one ormore light sources 9 and light transition regions 10 at one or both endsof the panel members to produce a uniform diffuse, shadowless lightaround the vanity mirror. In the FIG. 20 embodiment, where the panelmember 118 is shown mounted on the vanity mirror flap 121, the panelmember is generally straight and extends substantially the entire lengthof the mirror in generally parallel relation thereto, with light sources9 and associated light transition region 10 at one end of the panelmember. In the FIG. 21 embodiment, the panel member 116 is generally Ushaped and is configured to extend substantially the full length ofthree sides of the mirror in generally parallel relation and in closeproximity thereto, whereas in the FIG. 22 embodiment, the panel member120 is generally elliptical in shape. In both the FIGS. 21 and 22embodiments, the panel members 119 and 120 have one or more lightsources 9 and associated light transition regions 10 at both ends of thepanel members. Also, reflective surfaces 125 are provided at thecorners/curves 126, 127 of the panel members 119, 120 for reflecting aportion of the light around the corners/curves.

Although the invention has been shown and described with respect tocertain preferred embodiments, it is obvious that equivalent alterationsand modifications will occur to others skilled in the art upon thereading and understanding of the specification. The present inventionincludes all such equivalent alterations and modifications and islimited only by the scope of the claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A light emitting panel assembly in combinationwith a body portion of a vehicle, said panel assembly comprising a solidone-piece light emitting panel member made out of a transparentresiliently deformable material that allows flexing of said panel memberwithout breakage, said panel member having a relatively low profileincluding a greater cross sectional width than thickness and includingtop and bottom surfaces, and a light transition region for receivinglight from a light source and directing such light through said panelmember and emission out through a light emitting surface on one of saidtop and bottom surfaces, said panel member being mounted on said bodyportion with said light emitting surface facing outwardly for emissionof light out through said light emitting surface from a light sourceassociated with said light transition region, said panel member beinglocated on an exterior surface of said body portion so as to provide arunning light on said vehicle.
 2. The assembly of claim 1 furthercomprising a light source embedded, potted or bonded within said lighttransition region.
 3. The assembly of claim 1 further comprising a fiberoptic light pipe for transmitting light to said light transition regionfrom a remote light source.
 4. The combination of claim 1 furthercomprising a lens or film covering said light emitting surface of saidpanel member.
 5. A light emitting panel assembly in combination with abody portion of a vehicle, said panel assembly comprising a solidone-piece light emitting panel member made out of a transparentresiliently deformable material that allows flexing of said panel memberwithout breakage, said panel member having a relatively low profileincluding a greater cross sectional width than thickness and includingtop and bottom surfaces, and a light transition region for receivinglight from a light source and directing such light through said panelmember and emission out through a light emitting surface on one of saidtop and bottom surfaces, said panel member being mounted on said bodyportion with said light emitting surface facing outwardly for emissionof light out through said light emitting surface from a light sourceassociated with said light transition region, said panel member beingmounted at an exterior corner of said vehicle with said light emittingsurface facing outwardly to provide illumination adjacent said corner,and said light transition region and said associated light source beinglocated inwardly of an outermost edge of said corner to minimize therisk of damage to said light source in the event said outermost edge isimpacted during a minor traffic accident.
 6. The combination of claim 5wherein said light emitting surface of said panel member wraps aroundsaid corner to provide illumination around said corner.
 7. Thecombination of claim 5 wherein said panel member is at a rear corner ofsaid vehicle to provide a running taillight for said vehicle.
 8. Thecombination of claim 5 wherein a plurality of light sources associatedwith said light transition region are located inwardly of said outermostedge of said corner to minimize the risk of damage to any of said lightsources in the event said outermost edge is impacted during a minortraffic accident.
 9. The combination of claim 5 further comprising another light source located directly behind said panel member for shininglight through said panel member independently of the light emitted bysaid panel member from said light source associated with said lighttransition region.
 10. The combination of claim 9 wherein said otherlight source provides greater illumination through said panel memberthan the light emitted by said panel member from said light sourcebecause of the greater light concentration effect of said other lightsource shining directly through said panel member.
 11. The combinationof claim 10 wherein said other light source comprises one or more lightemitting diodes, incandescent or halogen lamps located directly behindsaid panel member.
 12. The combination of claim 10 wherein said otherlight source produces sufficient illumination through said panel memberto provide a brake light, turn signal light, or turning or backup lightfor said vehicle.
 13. The combination of claim 9 further comprising atrans reflector on said panel member through which a portion of thelight from said other light source passes.
 14. The combination of claim9 further comprising a hole through said panel member in line with saidother light source to provide unobstructed passage of light from saidother light source through said hole in said panel member.
 15. A lightemitting panel assembly in combination with a body portion of a vehicle,said panel assembly comprising a solid one-piece light emitting panelmember made out of a transparent resiliently deformable material thatallows flexing of said panel member without breakage, said panel memberhaving a relatively low profile including a greater cross sectionalwidth than thickness and including top and bottom surfaces, and a lighttransition region for receiving light from a light source and directingsuch light through said panel member and emission out through a lightemitting surface on one of said top and bottom surfaces, said panelmember being mounted on said body portion with said light emittingsurface facing outwardly for emission of light out through said lightemitting surface from a light source associated with said lighttransition region, said body portion comprising a trunk lid of avehicle.
 16. A light emitting panel assembly in combination with a bodyportion of a vehicle, said panel assembly comprising a solid one-piecelight emitting panel member made out of a transparent resilientlydeformable material that allows flexing of said panel member withoutbreakage, said panel member having a relatively low profile including agreater cross sectional width than thickness and including top andbottom surfaces, and a light transition region for receiving light froma light source and directing such light through said panel member andemission out through a light emitting surface on one of said top andbottom surfaces, said panel member being mounted on said body portionwith said light emitting surface facing outwardly for emission of lightout through said light emitting surface from a light source associatedwith said light transition region, said panel member forming an exteriorsurface of said body portion.